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HOW MUCH DO NON-AUDIO FACTORS INFLUENCE YOUR AUDIO PURCHASES?

I think most audiophiles would like to think it's all about the sound, but for me there's often many factors not related specifically to sound quality, that play a big part when deciding what audio component to buy.  Perceived build quality, brand name reputation, specs, even things mostly related to appearance can have a big influence.  I have for years, pursued matched, one-brand systems and seemingly can not be truly content with my two-channel rig otherwise, regardless of the performance or build quality of specific components.  I sometimes think the whole process is, for me, more an exercise in obsessive behavior than a rational pursuit of a logical outcome.  So how about you?   Any tales of audiophilia nervosa  you'd be willing to share? 
jdmccall56

Showing 4 responses by sokogear

sokogear
1,058 posts
 
+1 P8 @yespsb. Phenomenal value, great arm, perfect dust cover, design. Put it on a wall shelf and it would be tough to beat at multiple times the cost.
sokogear
1,058 posts
 
1) SQ/value/budget - beware the law of diminishing returns - avoid upgradeitis
2) Don't care about color of boxes or looks, but don't want my den to look like a physics lab and it has to fit in its space with the records
3) British design + chinese manufacturing = value if done right. Good for speakers, not much else.
4) make sure to maximize what you have - vibration control, room dynamics, electrical isolation. This is very underrated - smaller dollars invested here can have a bigger (sometimes MUCH) impact than changing boxes. Put your turntable on a wall shelf if at all possible. Just did it after 25 years - WOW. You'll never have a bigger bang for $200 in your audio lifetime.

sokogear
1,058 posts
 
KEF speakers are designed in The UK and their super expensive top of the line ones are made there. Others are made in China. Their company is not a Chinese company. They build incredibly high quality speakers and I am sure their factory in China has very skilled workers, If my speakers were made in the  UK, they would cost way more and KEF wouldn’t get the sale. 
It is efficient market driven economics. All Chinese products are not make in sweat shops. If someone pays more knowingly because something is made in the US, it’s certainly their right, but to quote Walmart, they are not living better. 
A value conscious consumer will evaluate products on a level playing field. Foreign parts availability or lack thereof is one factor to weigh.
sokogear
1,058 posts
 
I never said they were British owned, it’s a British subsidiary of Gold Peak, it appears. Product development and research are done in England since its inception. They have been under the same ownership since 1992.  Publicly traded multi billion dollar conglomerate publicly traded on Hong Kong Exchange. Clearly though China is involved with the major subs of GP. How that works is for the accountants and/or politicians to figure out.

I have a British turntable, Netherlands cartridge, New Zealand amplifier, US phono stage and the KEFs. Cables are US except I think the speaker cables are made in China. Not by design, just looking for best value for highest SQ that work well together.
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